The Presidency is insisting that President Muhammadu Buhari’s comments last week in Germany regarding First Lady Aisha’s position being in the kitchen and the other room was nothing more than a joke.

The Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu,said yesterday that his principal is gifted with a high sense of humour.He expressed regrets that a well-meaning leader was being misunderstood and asked Nigerians to “put an end to the unfair insinuations that have been generated by President Buhari’s jocularity.”

The President had said “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room”.

But Garba said: “I can assure you that President Buhari’s sense of humor is one of his most distinguishing characteristics, despite his stern mien.

“Unfortunately, an important trip such as this one planned to boost trade and investment, enhance security partnership and pitch the country to eager investors became overshadowed by public outcry over some remarks President Muhammadu Buhari made in Germany, which have sadly been misconstrued by the media and some members of the public.”

He said the President has respect for women’s rights and empowerment.

He added: “A number of whom he has appointed into key positions in his administration, neither do they reflect his attitude towards his wife, Hajiya Aisha, as anyone can see from their history together.

“President Buhari has been an invaluable support to his wife, and I know that he has great plans for every Nigerian woman. Five of his daughters have acquired university degrees. One of them just finished law school and another one undertakes a higher degree programme.

“I hope that all well-meaning Nigerians will put an end to the unfair insinuations that have been generated by President Buhari’s jocularity. Seeing a well-meaning leader being so misunderstood is painful for me.”